Let’s face it: inequality still persists in the workplace despite efforts to promote equal opportunities for all. Discrimination and stereotypes continue to drive normal people, including employers, in their choices and actions toward others.
The pay gap still exists—men still make more money than women. In fact, women earn 18 percent less or 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This data alone indicates that people don’t receive the same treatment and opportunities in the workplace due to inevitable personal qualities such as gender. This unfair system may result in significantly low productivity, morale, and motivation.
Fortunately, a new movement and generation of employers are making reforms in the workplace known as equal opportunity employers or EOEs.
The Next Generation: Equal Opportunity Employers
If you wish to join a workplace that provides employees equal advancement opportunities based on merit and capabilities, consider applying to organizations that prioritize being an equal opportunity employer. These employers will provide equal benefits and treatment to you, irrespective of your creed, color, sexual orientation, and other confounding personal attributes.
A true equal opportunity employer has qualities that persist beyond their organization’s growth or profit. Being impartial, amicable, rational, and open-minded are notable qualities of an EOE. Such traits are often lacking from an unequal opportunity employer (or employers following the present status quo). Once you identify an equal opportunity employer, you’re on the right track to joining an inclusive community and healthy work environment.
To help you further understand the benefits of partnering with an equal opportunity employer, below is a situational example:
A person with disability (PWD) applies for a job. An equal opportunity employer would process their interview and assess if the individual is well-equipped for the job position based on their qualifications such as merit, willingness or attitude, and previous work experience. Their disability will not be grounds for determining whether the applicant is fit for the position or not. However, this is not to say that the applicant will receive special treatment.
Instead, they will simply undergo regular screening and will not be denied or rejected on the basis of their disability. In comparison, an unequal opportunity employer would turn down the application due to the social stigma that PWDs are less capable of doing a job and tend to underperform at work.
Top 3 Reasons for Applying to an Equal Opportunity Employer
Over the years, organizations have made visible changes in their work ethics and management by incorporating equal opportunities for all employees. These may be noticed in employment efforts, pay, appraisals, and benefits.
Moreover, other than being seen and valued, there are still more reasons why you should consider equal opportunity employers. Below are the top three reasons why you must consider an equal opportunity employer during your job application:
1. Healthier Work Environment for Your Mental Headspace
Mental exhaustion and burnout are prominent issues that could negatively affect your performance, but did you know that these issues are often linked with toxic work environments? Also, toxic workplaces are deeply rooted in inequalities such as discrimination, unfair compensation, and preferential treatment.
When a workplace practices equal opportunity, your race, gender, and even religion will not hinder your growth and relations. This is because your work and effort will be equally evaluated and compensated regardless. You no longer need to perform at extreme lengths just to earn a chance at getting your outputs noticed and praised.
2. Reduced Rivalries and Better Collaboration
With an equal opportunity employer, since all work is based on merit, behavior, and performance—the gap between diverse and conventional or privileged employees is close to zero. Therefore, the need for drastic measures to be promoted or have a pay raise disappears.
A particular example is the struggle of Asian-Americans that tend to dominate the workforce. Yet, they are not as recognized as their counterpart White colleagues in the workplace, hence their tendency to overexert themselves in tasks. But remember, if you are partnered with an equal opportunity employer, teamwork will be easier despite racial differences.
3. Diversity and Cultural Differences
A diverse work environment ensures the probability of working with people from different backgrounds, experiences, and capabilities. This type of multiracial and multicultural environment fosters dynamic learning where you and your coworkers can grow and improve from one another’s differences. Because equal opportunity employers prioritize diversity and help bridge the racial gap in the workplace.
What It Means to Have Equal Opportunities in the Workplace
Now, you may be wondering: what makes equal opportunities so good that we need to consider equal opportunity employers when we look for an organization? In this list, you will find how equal opportunity employers can transform your workplace and job applications or job-hunting experience.
1. Race
In the US, people of color (POC) are usually the most common target of workplace discrimination and inequality. This group usually consists of Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. With equal opportunity employers, all races are welcomed and given the same treatments and benefits.
Thus, when you partner with equal opportunity employers, you can be part of a diverse work environment in which learning and growth are fostered by your different lived experiences. In this light, everyone can enjoy improved workplace practices.
2. Gender
Apart from women being treated less than men in businesses that do not value equal opportunities, employees belonging to the LGBTQ+ community receive even more prejudice. Equal opportunity employers create a work environment that promotes harmony and empowerment. Here, men and women receive pays that are parallel to their achievement and position.
Your gender identity isn’t a hindrance when you seek to partner with equal opportunity employers. You won’t need to worry about who you are and who you choose to love because equal opportunity employers will treat you fairly. They base their judgment on your work performance, not your gender orientation.
3. Disabilities (PWDs)
The employment rate among people with disabilities remains significantly low compared to people without disabilities. This scenario continues despite the existence of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, which requires employers to assess PWDs objectively and equally with non-PWDs.
With that being said, equal opportunity employers attempt to transcend barriers and stereotypes by providing hope to an otherwise stigmatized group of people. So, regardless of your disability, expect a healthy and welcoming environment in organizations with equal opportunity employers.
4. Religion
Employers that usually cannot separate their religious beliefs from secular practices often favor employees of a similar religion. In the US, the prominence of Islamophobia prevents Muslims from attaining equal opportunities at work. In addition to workplace discrimination and violence, Muslim employees are often excluded from health services provision and managerial position opportunities.
Equal opportunity employers don’t practice this sort of injustice but rather condemn it. So, if you ever worry about applying for a job because of what you believe in, it’s best to partner with an equal opportunity employer. You’d be assured they won’t evaluate you based on religion but focus on your assets.
What’s amazing about being in an organization of equal opportunity employers is the high probability of having various employees with different religions, thus inspiring positive virtues and insights. According to a study by Akseland and Dohlie in 2015, religion can positively influence a person’s morale, loyalty, and communication. In turn, that refines the work dynamics within the organization.
Many employers might tend to deny job opportunities and pay or position appraisals to individuals for trivial grounds, such as race or skin color, gender, disability, and religion—all of which aren’t grounds for overall employee performance.
Luckily, this is not an issue with equal opportunity employers, where diversity is even heavily encouraged. When partnering with them, you are sure that there is a community of people from different walks of life who are all treated with equal respect and praise.
ACS PROFESSIONAL STAFFING—THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO
ACS Professional Staffing is committed to promoting people-centricity and diversity in the workplace through our fair treatment and ethical workplace principles. We ensure healthy workplace relationships between candidates and clients and employees and their employers. As an equal opportunity employer ourselves, we can guarantee that our principles and policies will push you forward where you can grow more.
We prioritize candidates’ well-being because we believe that the growth of any organization truly relies on our real asset: YOU. With us, you won’t need to worry about your gender or even skin color—we believe in diversity not just for its sake but because of its impact on the world. Contact us today to learn more about the equal opportunities that are available to you.